A federal judge has stepped in to stop the Trump administration from sending back ten unaccompanied Guatemalan children. These kids, aged 10 to 17, were at risk of deportation, which their lawyers argued would break U.S. laws.
The Washington D.C. judge, Sparkle Sooknanan, issued a temporary restraining order on Sunday. She halted the deportations for 14 days and scheduled a hearing. The National Immigration Law Center, a group advocating for immigrant rights, is backing the children in this legal battle.
The Trump administration had just agreed with Guatemala to deport these unaccompanied minors. Reports suggested these deportations could begin over the weekend. This action is part of a broader immigration crackdown that Trump initiated upon his return to office in January.
Under U.S. law, children arriving at the border without a parent or guardian are deemed unaccompanied. They are placed in government-run shelters until they can be reunited with family members or placed in foster care.
Melissa Johnston, who oversees the program for unaccompanied children, instructed staff to halt the release of Guatemalan minors unless they are sponsored by parents or legal guardians in the U.S.
The legal complaint filed by the National Immigration Law Center and the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights argues that these deportations would violate the protections given to vulnerable children. The complaint warns that sending them back could expose them to abuse and other dangers.
As of now, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security hasn’t commented on the situation, and Guatemala’s foreign ministry also declined to provide insights on the matter.
This case highlights the ongoing struggles unaccompanied minors face at the U.S. border. According to a 2020 report from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, over 70,000 unaccompanied minors were encountered at the border that year, a significant increase from previous years. Experts emphasize the importance of treating these children with care and ensuring their safety, as their legal rights are often overlooked during deportation processes.
As social media chatter grows around this issue, many advocates are calling for more humane approaches to immigration. The situation remains fluid, and the forthcoming hearing may determine the fate of these children in the U.S.
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